Cultural Committee’s 20th Anniversary Celebration

PROVIDENCE — The Cultural Committee of Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Church of Providence, RI was organized in June 1995. During the past 20 years the Cultural Committee, under the leadership of Konstantin Petrossian, has worked diligently to present many cultural events, including concerts, festivals, talent shows, exhibitions, lectures, movies, as well as presenting many groups and performers from Armenia. In 1999, the Cultural Committee established a unique Arts Education Program for youth and adults, with over 70 students every year. Periodically a cultural newspaper KNAR has been published.

On Saturday, June 27, the Egavian Auditorium was full to capacity with those who had come to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Cultural Committee. The featured music was the Classic Groove Band with Steven Tashjian for Armenian and American dancing and enjoyment; also, Janette Khalarian, who sang Armenian popular songs, while a group of young dancers from Massachusetts performed. All evening everyone had the opportunity to watch a wonderful slide show arranged by Len Arzoomanian, with his and Eliza Suvajian’s photos of the activities presented by the Cultural Committee. Masters of Ceremony were Greg Ayrassian and Gary Nahabedian, who talked about the activities of the Cultural Committee.

Souin showed his appreciation to the Cultural Committee for maintaining the high quality of the programs presented. He raised a toast in honor of the Cultural Committee’s past and future endeavors. Ara Bohigian, Parish Council liaison, thanked the committee for their contribution to the cultural life of the community. The young singer, Mary Galstyan, sang a song dedicated to the 20th. anniversary of the ordination of Souin, and another song dedicated to the Cultural Committee.

Petrossian thanked the members of the Cultural Committee and their spouses for all their years of volunteer work. He noted that the Cultural Committee works as a family for the benefit of the Church and community.